A method and system for preparing batches of material

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for preparing two or more batches of material. A first batch is placed into a first container and a second batch is placed into a second container. A grinding media is added to each of the first and second containers. The first and second containers are placed into a movable body, which is moved to induce movement of the first and second containers at least under gravitational force in the movable body so that the grinding media grind the first and second batches inside their respective first and second containers. A system is also provided.

1 . A method for grinding two or more batches of material, comprising placing a first batch into a first container and placing a second batch into a second container; adding a grinding media in each of said first and second containers; and moving said first and second containers so that said grinding media grind said first and second batches inside their respective first and second containers. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising placing said first and second containers into a holding container, elevating said first and second containers from said holding container and permitting said first and second containers to fall back into said holding container to subject said first and second containers to a gravitational force to cause grinding of said first and second batches. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising placing said first and second containers into a movable body and moving said movable body to impart motion to said first and second containers to subject said first and second containers to a gravitational force. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said movable body comprises a rotatable body, the method further comprising rotating said rotatable body to induce rotation of said first and second containers in said rotatable body. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising drying said first and second batches prior to moving said first and second containers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said first and second batches are dried after placement into said first and second containers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said first and second containers are sealed after drying. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said drying of said first and second batches occurs at a temperature of around 40° C. to 100° C. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising placing said movable body in a low temperature environment, wherein said low temperature environment is between 5° C. and −200° C. or between −40° C. and −60° C. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing said grinding media from said first and second containers, wherein said grinding media comprises a ferrous material and said method further comprises using a magnetic force to remove said grinding media from said first and second containers. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , said grinding media comprises at least two different types of grinding media to enhance grinding of said first and second batches. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising retaining said first and second batches in said first and second containers for subsequent processing, wherein said subsequent processing comprises at least one of transportation of said first and second batches, storage of said first and second batches and testing said first and second batches. 
     
     
         17 .- 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein there is a plurality of batches and containers, wherein each batch is placed into a separate container. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method for preparing two or more samples for laboratory testing, comprising placing a first sample into a first container and placing a second sample into a second container; adding a grinding media in each of said first and second containers; placing said first and second containers into a rotatable body; and rotating said rotatable body to induce rotation of said first and second containers in said rotatable body so that said grinding media grind said first and second samples inside their respective first and second containers. 
     
     
         27 . Use of two or more containers in the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         28 . The use of the two or more containers of  claim 27 , wherein said containers comprise at least one of an impact resistant material and a heat and cold resistant material. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A system for preparing two or more batches of material, comprising two or more containers for receiving said batches and a grinding media, a holding container for receiving said containers, a drive mechanism for moving said containers so that said grinding media grinds said batches inside said containers. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein said holding container comprises a rotatable body and said drive mechanism is operable to rotate said rotatable body to induce rotation of said containers. 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 30 , said system further comprises a chamber for receiving said movable body, wherein said chamber is configured to produce a low temperature environment around said movable body to cool said batches inside said containers. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising a heating device for heating said containers prior to placement in said holding container or movable body. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled)